Posted on Apr 9, 2009

Posted on Apr 9, 2009

With renovations now complete, the Language Center is sporting a refreshed look and offering updated services. A reception to showcase the improvements will be held Wednesday, April 15 at 4 p.m. in Schaffer Library Room 222. Those who attend the event will notice new furniture and social space, and new video recording and conferencing workstations. Additional equipment, like the Smartboard system, also will be on display. “This is an exciting time for the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, and for the center,” said Audrey Sartiaux, center director, who will give the Smartboard demonstration. "We have a better design and space and a flexible layout in the main lab." 

Posted on Apr 9, 2009

Accomplished pianist Jonathan Biss returns to Union College for a solo performance in the Chamber Concert Series at Memorial Chapel Wednesday, April 15, at 8 p.m. In 2001, Biss appeared here with the Musicians from Marlboro.  

Biss will play portions of Mozart’s Sonata No. 14 in C minor, Kurtag’s Jatekok and Schubert’s Sonata in C. He will also present selections from Chopin’s Barcarolle, Three Mazurkas, Nocturne in E and Ballade No. 4 in F minor.

Noted for his intriguing programs and artistic versatility, Biss has appeared with the foremost orchestras of the United States and Europe. He won the Leonard Bernstein Award at the 2005 Schleswig-Holstein Festival and also has captured other prestigious honors, including the 2002 Gilmore Young Artist Award, Wolf Trap’s Shouse Debut Artist Award, an Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 2003 Borletti-Buitoni Award.

Biss studied at The Curtis Institute of Music with pianist Leon Fleisher and represents the third generation in a family of professional musicians. His grandmother, Raya Garbousova, is a well-known cellist, and his parents, violinist Miriam Fried and violist/violinist Paul Biss, have achieved similar success. The concert is free to the Union community, $20 for general admission and $10 for area students.

Posted on Apr 9, 2009

The artists’ reception for the Mandeville Gallery exhibition "Dynamic Equlibrium" is being held today from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Nott Memorial.

This exhibition explores the intersection of art and science, commenting on scientific practices and striving to expand creative possibilities. It combines works by contemporary artists exploring science, contemporary scientists exploring art, and historical apparatus used by Union’s professors and students to investigate science in the past. Included are works that were drawn with human blood, a piece that contains live worms and an interactive work that needs your help to create it.

The show has been supported by Biology, Computer Science, Geology, Physics and Astronomy, the Office of the Dean of Engineering and the Office of the Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies. 

Posted on Apr 7, 2009

“From Prominence to Prison: Why Smart People Do Dumb Things,” featuring former entrepreneur, fugitive and felon Patrick Kuhse, will kick off the Rapaport Ethics Across the Curriculum spring program on Thursday, April 16.

Kuhse will hold an ethics workshop, open to the campus community, from 12:50-1:55 p.m. in Everest Lounge, Hale House. He will give a public lecture at 7 p.m. in Reamer Campus Center Auditorium.

“The lessons learned on his path to success are lessons that everyone is vulnerable to and no one needs to experience first-hand,” said Robert Baker, Ethics Across the Curriculum chair and director.

Kuhse’s journey from successful stockbroker to financial fraud includes fleeing the United States and taking refuge in Costa Rica before his self-surrender and subsequent incarceration in foreign and U.S. prisons for money laundering, bribing a public official and conspiracy.

Since his release in 2001, he has given more than 1,200 talks and workshops here and abroad on business ethics. To arrange class visits or for more information, contact Baker at bakerr@union.edu 

Other Ethics Across the Curriculum programs this term include:

• “Engineering Ethics Workshop” with Michael Davis of Illinois Institute of Technology (April 27, 12:50-1:55 p.m., Everest Lounge)
• “Common Morality” with noted philosopher Bernie Gert of Dartmouth (May 7-8, 12:50-1:55 p.m., Phi Beta Kappa Lounge, Schaffer Library)
• “Workshop on Justice,” with Rosamond Rhodes of CUNY and Mt. Sinai (May 19, 12:50-1:55 p.m., Everest Lounge)
• “Report from the Trenches,” sharing faculty experience teaching ethics and offering help for new grant applicants(May 28, 12:50-1:55 p.m., Everest Lounge).
   

Posted on Apr 7, 2009

The College will officially dedicate its new baseball field in Schenectady’s Central Park Friday, April 10, 2009, during a ceremony between games of a doubleheader against Skidmore College.

The first game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., followed by the dedication at 4:30 p.m. featuring Union President Stephen C. Ainlay and Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton.

In a partnership between the College and the city, Union donated $162,000 to renovate “Diamond C,” one of three baseball fields in Central Park. The upgrades include a new infield featuring Kentucky bluegrass sod, new bases and a sprinkler system. Improvements were also made to the dugouts, outfield, bullpen areas and the fencing surrounding the field.

The city’s youth leagues will be able to use the new field when the College season ends in early May.

“This is a wonderful day for our baseball team, the College and the local community,” Ainlay said. “These renovations reinforce our long-standing commitment to being a good neighbor. We’re grateful the city has been willing to share their fields with us, and we’re excited to be able to help give them a first-class complex.”

The city plans to make some improvements to the “Diamond A and B” fields. Stratton said the city will market all three of its fields to tournament organizers, bringing top-quality amateur baseball to Schenectady.

“Schenectady is grateful for Union College's continued partnership and its financial support of these substantial improvements to our baseball complex," Stratton said. “We look forward to the exciting action of Union College baseball in Central Park.”

The first game on the new field was Tuesday, March 31, against William Paterson University.

“We’re excited to be able to play on a field worthy of collegiate-level competition,” said athletic director Jim McLaughlin. “Our students, along with countless members of the Schenectady community, will benefit from this renovation for years to come.”